Skip to main content

Does Oregon Have a Racism Problem?

Stand up and be heard. Think Out Loud, Oregon Public Broadcasting's daily talk show, will be tackling the issue of race in Oregon, and how Oregon's relative lack of diversity affects people in different parts of the state.

OPB's Scott Silver reached out to Colors of Influence, to find folks who would be interested in sharing their experiences and opinions in addressing the question:

Does Oregon have a racism problem?

Here's an overview of the project, according to Scott Silver:

We're trying to connect with people of different races and ethnicities in different parts of the state, to ask them about their experiences in Oregon.

We've created an online space where people can share their experiences and stories with us:

http://news.opb.org/link/racism

We'll be using the responses to help guide our coverage of this issue, and a producer may send them a follow up email or give them a call. As well, people who respond will become a part of OPB's Public Insight Network, our network of news sources. We hang on to their contact information, and ask them to contribute their experiences periodically for news stories we're working on.

This is a worthwhile effort to bring to the surface the often contentious issues of race and racism among our communities. People from various communities of color living in Portland have many stories to share about what it's like to live as part of a racial/ethnic/tribal minority group in Portland, dubbed as the "whitest major city in America."


Popular posts from this blog

Enlighten Me

Editor's Note: This review was originally published in Los Angeles Book Review . Author Minh Lê Standing up for oneself seems like doing the right thing. Binh did just that in the face of a racist school bully who was poking fun at his Asian heritage. But physically assaulting another student goes against school policy, and it was Binh who got in trouble. Binh shares a silent retreat with his family and younger siblings. Along with other children, he learns about stories from the previous lives of the Buddha. The stories are interesting, but for Binh, it is difficult to sit still and clear his mind when he misses his Gameboy. While he struggles with silence, he learns important lessons about friendship, community, and being present. In the graphic novel "Enlighten Me," award-winning author Minh Lê and bestselling illustrator Chan Chau tell the story of a boy who gains a better understanding of himself as he works on quieting the mind and reflecting on dharma. Lê and Ch...
Read more

Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto

In "Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto," renowned Marxian scholar and philosopher Kohei Saito offers a compelling argument against the relentless pursuit of economic growth that permeates contemporary capitalism. Saito’s thesis focuses on the concept of degrowth—a radical reduction in production and consumption that aligns with sustainable ecological limits rather than constant expansion. Pictured above is Kohei Saito Saito makes a significant and timely contribution to the ongoing conversation about sustainable living. Slow Down adopts an interdisciplinary approach, drawing insights from environmental science, economics, and social theory to present a clear and urgent depiction of the current ecological crisis. Saito critiques the widely accepted belief that economic growth equates to progress and questions the sustainability of existing global consumption patterns. He advocates for a fundamental reshaping of our economic systems to prioritize human well-being and ecologica...
Read more

Minding the Wealth Gap

As a Black investor and startup founder, Cliff Goins IV brings firsthand experience and sharp insight to one of America’s most urgent issues: the racial wealth gap. Having navigated the worlds of finance and entrepreneurship, Goins has seen up close the systemic disparities in wealth creation, access to capital, and asset management. From unequal opportunities in homeownership and education to persistent challenges in business funding and employment, the historical gaps are perpetuated in present-day practices. In "Minding the Wealth Gap," Goins skillfully blends data, lived experience, and the insights of experts to illuminate the deep-rooted economic disparities facing Black Americans. More importantly, he highlights the power of collective uplift. Through the voices of nine dynamic “gap closers,” Goins shows how real change happens when Black investors and leaders open doors for others. Each success “play” or strategy underscores the ripple effect of support. Selena Cu...
Read more